Leaders and Assistants
Jaimie Carswell. Facilitator, Senior Carrick on Shannon Youth Theatre (Leitrim Village)
Jaimie Carswell is an actor, musician, and clown with over 30 years professional experience. He has a degree in playwriting from Birmingham University, a theatre degree from Trinity College Dublin, and completed the 2-year professional degree at the prestigious Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris. He is a busy working actor and has worked with some of the top Irish theatre companies as well as in film, TV, and radio. Jaimie was recently in the hit show Dream Factory with Lords of Strut and is currently working with Fidget Feet Aerial Dance on their show House. A multi-award-winning artist Jaimie has worked professionally in London, Paris, and New York where his original show Cirque de Légume enjoyed a successful run off-Broadway. Jaimie is the founding director of the Irish National Clown Orchestra and has been a regular teacher at the Performing Arts School Galway where he directed several shows for young performers including The Frog Prince, The Addams Family, and the musical version of Legally Blonde.
Sinead Quinn. Facilitator, Junior Carrick on Shannon Youth Theatre (Leitrim Village)
Sinead Quinn is a primary School teacher with a diploma in Special Education and a master's degree in Drama Studies from Queen's University, Belfast. She combines her academic expertise with a genuine passion for drama. With her extensive experience as a primary school teacher, she excels as a facilitator, encouraging students’ self-expression and creativity. Sinead has directed and produced several plays with the Breffni Players in The Dock and other regional venues. Sinead has also been responsible for coordinating and directing many school plays and after school drama workshops.
Maura Williamson, Facilitator, Junior & Senior Bright Sparks (The Dock)
Maura Williamson has over twenty years of experience as a youth theatre facilitator, with particular expertise and experience working with individuals with special needs. Maura obtained her Master of Arts in Dramatherapy from the National University of Ireland Maynooth in 2006, and a Diploma in Counselling Skills from St. Patrick's College in Maynooth, Co. Kildare in 1996. Throughout her career, Maura has worked as a drama facilitator, therapist, and mentor in various settings, including schools, youth groups, health centres, family centres, and community groups. As the founder of Carrigallen Youth Theatre and the Creative Voice group in Cavan, Maura has been instrumental in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to unlock their creative potential. Her with within the community has been acknowledged through many accolades such as the Leitrim Council Council Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts.
Gavin Sweeney, Assistant facilitator, Junior & Senior Bright Sparks (The Dock)
Gavin graduated with a BFA in Performing Arts from the American College Dublin in 2018. He also completed an internship at Galway Community College in 2012, where he served as a drama facilitator and gained a level 6 certificate in Television production in 2013. Gavin has been accepted to NUIM to study Youth Theatre facilitation, which is delivered by Youth Theatre Ireland. Having been a part of Carrick Youth Theatre since 2007, Gavin understands the transformative power of creative environments for young individuals. He was selected for the National Youth Theatre in 2009 where he performed on the Peacock stage in The Seagull, by Anton Chekhov. That same year he was awarded the Junior Bursary at Sligo Feis Cheoil. In 2011 he came 2nd in the All-Ireland School Talent Competition and in 2014 he won "Northwest Got Talent". Gavin is an active member of the Breffni players and has acted in numerous plays in Leitrim and beyond.
Jay Ryan, Facilitator, Junior Group (Manorhamilton)
Jay is a dynamic theatre-maker and performer with over 20 years’ experience creating imaginative work for children and young people. Best known for the RTE Junior series Living with a Fairy, Jay blends storytelling, puppetry, and physical theatre in playful and engaging ways. Jay has been creating and touring theatre for over two decades. He devises and performs his own work, often blending storytelling, clowning, and puppetry into accessible, imaginative performances. His live shows have toured extensively to schools, arts centres, and family festivals, including the Baboró International Arts Festival, The Glens Centre, Birr Scriptwriters Festival, Boyle Arts Festival, and An Grianán Theatre. Jay brings warmth, creativity and a collaborative spirit—an exciting addition to the team at The Glens.
Treasa Nealon, Facilitator, Senior Group (Manorhamilton)
Treasa is a writer, playwright and theatre maker from Leitrim. She has a BA in performing arts form ATU Sligo. She is co-founder of The Rabbit's Riot Theatre Company. She has had several plays produced in Ireland and the UK. She is currently a participant of Irish Theatre Institute’s Six in the Virtual Attic Artists Supports Programme. She has worked with the Junior and Senior Manorhamilton Youth Theatre over several years. She most recently co-wrote and co-directed The Glenanders and Lights! Camera! Detention! with the Senior Youth Theatre.
Raquel Montero, Facillitator (Carrigallen)
Raquel Montero is a multidisciplinary artist with a rich background in drama, dance, and visual arts. Raquel brings a vibrant and inclusive energy to her work with young people. As a performer, playwright, choreographer, and facilitator, she is passionate about creativity, expression, and the transformative power of the arts. Raquel has worked extensively across youth and community arts programmes, having worked with Gonzo Youth Theatre in Cavan and Pod Youth Theatre in Virginia. She has also collaborated with Backstage Youth Theatre and devised original productions with local schools and groups. Her facilitation style is informed by her training in drama facilitation with Youth Theatre Ireland in NUIM, physical theatre with The Lir Academy, and storytelling with Storytellers of Ireland. Raquel has been awarded multiple artist development residencies and grants from Creative Ireland, Cavan Arts Council, and Town Hall Cavan. She is a dynamic and intuitive leader who values both movement and stillness in her creative practice. Raquel has trained in multilingual facilitation through a collaboration with the Mother Tongues Festival and their Language Explorers programme, delivered at Roscommon Arts Centre. As the new leader of Carrigallen Youth Theatre, Raquel looks forward to nurturing creativity, confidence, and collaboration among young people in a fun, supportive, and imaginative space.
Regina Kiernan, Assistant Facilitator (Carrigallen)
Regina Kiernan is a dedicated and enthusiastic assistant facilitator with a deep-rooted connection to Carrigallen Youth Theatre. A former member herself, Regina brings valuable insight and lived experience to the programme, having once been in the same shoes as the young people she now supports. She currently works full-time as a Special Needs Assistant, where she has developed strong skills in supporting and encouraging young people of all abilities. Regina brings this same care, patience, and understanding to her work in youth theatre, helping to create a welcoming and inclusive space for all participants. With a love of performance and a passion for nurturing creativity, Regina is delighted to be part of the Carrigallen Youth Theatre team—giving back to the programme that helped shape her own journey.
Leitrim Youth Arts
Leitrim County Council
Aras an Chontae
Carrick on Shannon
Co. Leitrim
© 2023 Leitrim County Council Arts Office
